Forget about plant of the day, those blooming, and non-blooming, shrubs have been screaming for attention for the past couple of weeks. I can’t pick just one because I love them all and they make such a big statement in my spring garden. They are all on display like a runway full of beautiful models showing the latest spring fashions.
Of course the rhododendron and azalea are front and center of this display. They are always a bit later in my cooler, shadier garden but they still try their best not to disappoint even if they may not have as many blooms as some of their neighbours on our street.
The Ninebark make such a statement with their foliage that you can forget that they actually bloom. They are easy to grow and they grow fast, which is why I created a hedge of them across my front yard this year. Plus they are deer resistant.
The variegated dogwood is another shrub that has foliage that speaks louder than its blooms.
Then there are bridal-wreath spirea, which take center stage for a couple of weeks every spring before returning to obscurity for the rest of the year. Of all the spirea cultivars, these are my favourite.
My weigela was one of the first shrubs that I planted, She is now huge, taller than me. Even as a garden senior citizen she blooms like a teenager.
And there are so many more. So many shades of green foliage. Along with a pop of wine colouring or a hint of blue.
My new dappling willow, note the pale pink, was just put in last year to replace the 8 foot one that was felled by an ambitious beaver.
And just as the spring blooming shrubs start to wind down, the summer ones begin their show.
Thank you for reading
Photos: Jenn Stone
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You have such a beautiful garden, Jenn! Both your thumbs must be a very verdant shade of green. 😊
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Thank you. I’d like to think so but it was more trial and error for a very long time. I have to give most of the credit to Mother Nature for allowing some of the things I planted to thrive in a challenging location.
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So beautiful. You must have a large yard and be envied by your neighbours. Maggie
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Thanks Maggie. I have 3/4 of an acre because we live outside of the city and have a drilled well and a septic system. It is my sanctuary and gardening my therapy so I spend a lot of time out there. For a retired graphic designer, it is a wonderful creative outlet.
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Your yard is wonderful. Everything is beautiful and healthy. We tried to grow Ninebark but they didn’t take here. A few neighbors have rhododendrons and azaleas so I know those can grow, but we don’t have anywhere to put them. We have spirea but no weigela. Not sure I’ve seen those around here, only in photos like yours.
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Thank you. I am always happy with the variety of things that can grow here in Nova Scotia. We have a pretty short growing season compared to other places. I think it is our rainy periods that help the cause. I usually don’t have to water except for things that are newly planted or if we get a dry spell and selective plants have a meltdown.
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Beautiful garden and specimens! I have several of the shrubs you mention, and I love them all. Besides their beauty, in most cases they require less maintenance than perennials which I also appreciate.
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Thank you. Shrubs are so easy once established. I have to admit that I enjoy them as much or more than the perennials. Because my yard tends to run on the shady side, I planted most of them with my fingers crossed.
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You have such lovely gardens…. and I envy you all that shade. We have rhododendrons, but rarely see colors other than pink in Maine. Your yellow is a stunner.
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Thank you. I am very happy with all the shade. I am not a lover of heat. I tend to move around the garden with the shade when doing gardening tasks. I do love that yellow rhody. I picked it up about 3 years ago. I am a sucker for yellow. It was a surprise find. They are appearing in more nurseries around here now so I expect I will see a lot more of them.
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You must have 10 green thumbs! Beautiiful gardens!!
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Ha ha. What I have is over twenty years of trial and error and a huge respect for Mother Nature.
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They’re all gorgeous – I have a pretty small garden but the previous owners tried to pack in as many shrubs and trees as you have – way too crowded. I’ve had quite a few thinned out… Your Bridal bush looks like one I had which we call ‘Bridal Bouquet’ – I loved mine (it was at my last house) but, one year, I pruned it fairly hard and killed it 😦
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Shrubs do take up a lot of space. People put them in without thinking about how large they will grow. Luckily I have a decent sized yard with plenty of room.
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they put everything in my garden right next to each other – the trees are about 3 feet apart which is ridiculous and the shrubs aren’t much better!
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